they're both accusing the other of pushing the nation toward the fiscal cliff. in fact republicans say democrats are driving us at high speed toward the cliff like "thelma & louise". intellectually we know it is likely democrats will agree to more spending cuts than they want. republicans will give on tax revenue. republicans say though will not raise tax rates treasury secretary geithner says they will have to. >> there is no path to an agreement, there does not involve republicans acknowledging that rates have to go up for the wealthiest americans. there is no way to raise a meaningful amount of revenue relative to the size of our fiscal challenges by limiting value of deductions to wealthiest americans. there is just not enough room there. >> reporter: geithner says he will believe there is an agreement because the alternative is unthinkable. time is running out as you point out, bill. bill: on a tenuous economy too. what are republicans say, wendell? >> reporter: john baker says they don't have a starting point with democrats refusing to say what spending cu